All Chapters of Subsequently : Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

The last few rays of sunlight cast a sillouhete of Mia as she sit with her back towards me when I enter the living room. I could feel the tension filling the air as I near her. I was used to the fact that she could sense when I entered the room, but it usually wasn't glittering with anger and pain. I have been hiding in my office most of the day, making phone calls and sitting through hours of footage to make sense of anything that we are missing on that fucking tape, but most importantly because I couldn't face Mia without having news for her. The mere thought of letting her down pains me to my core, but I know too well that this conversation has been long overdue, like a brewing storm waiting to explode.Silence spread between us for what felt like hours after I sit down on the loofa opposite the couch where she is seated before Mia finally found her voice, her words laced with accusation. "How could you, Ben? How could you just sit there and act innocent when my mother got kidnappe

My heart sunk as I enter my home, exhausted and irritated from the wasted time due to the canceled trip. "Mia?" I call out the moment I step through the front door. I know that she had to be in the house and couldn't go anywhere, but I needed to hear her voice, but she doesn't answer and I was not surprised at all when I discover her in the bedroom, hastily packing her bags. She did after all promise me to be gone when I came back and I know her to be one to put her words to action, but I approach her anyway. "Mia, what's going on? Why are you packing?"She freezes for a moment, her eyes visibly red from crying. She sniffle and repy, her voice strained, "I'm leaving, Ben. I'm leaving because you walked out that door." She remind me again. Now she is just overreacting. I shake my head, trying to gather thoughts and hide the amusement on my face."Mia, I didn't exactly leave. The trip got canceled." My words seem to fall on deaf ears as Mia continue to pack, tears streaming down her face

My life was begining to feel like dejavu. Everyday I worked on finding Mia's mother and every night I worked on finding Mia, somewhere drunk and behaving like a fucking teen. I was so sertain that we had a small break through last night, but I guess I was wrong, I shrug taking in a deep breath to start my newly found nightly routine... Again. I approach bartenders, bouncers, and fellow clubbers, desperation driving my inquiries. But no one had any information about a drunk or sober woman matching Mia's description. The night turn into early dawn as I continue to scour every corner of the city. The initial adrenaline dissipated, but my will remained unyielding. I couldn't bear the thought of Mia out there alone and not in full control. Usually by this time we have found her. With weary steps, I find myself back in the district where Mia''s car has been found. Despite the dimly lit streets, I push forward, fueled my love for her. My heart aching with every step, imagining the worst-case

The mere frustration of being unable to locate Mia is about to drive me out against my own office walls. That I am trapped here while I have to rely so heavily on my trusted security team for assistance is completely and totally Achille's plan of keeping me out of the way. And maybe to prevent me from starting to kill everyone that looks at me wrong. How was I supposed to concentrate on work when I sat here doing nothing while Mia is missing? "Ciao." I talk into the phone ringing unexpectedly, shattering the tense silence in the room surrounding me and my heart almost skip a beat when I recognize the caller ID; Tomasso, with trembling hands and a small glince of hope I answer the phone, my voice full of desperation. "Tomasso, what news do you have?" I ask anxiously, my voice choking with emotion and my heart hopeful of the idea that they found Mia."Ben, we have found Isabelle." The words echoe through the phone receiver, bringing both relief and urgency to my heart and mind."Where i

Just as soon as I thought it couldn't get worse than my bloodied and bruised aching body that stabbed me with each breath, my mind swirl with a mix of pain and confusion, unable to comprehend what my eyes make me see. The situation becoming even more dreadful. It has been years since I last saw her. I shut my eyes opening them again stop my mind from playing tricks ons me. This is not the time to start hallusinating, but she doesn't go away... The woman that stand before me, the woman I once knew and loved. The room was silent, except for my labored breathing, she doesn't say anything, she walks deeper into the room, silently and slowly taking each stride. Her green eyes filled with rage, sadness, and a strange longing. She has aged gracefully, her face lined with the pain she endured over the years, the same pain that is twisting her expression now. She stop a few feet away from me, her eyes locking onto my battered face."Surprised to see me?"." She questions her tone laced with raw